Changes to Waterford’s electoral districts likely

Proposals which are to be brought before the government this week, would see the restoration of a nuclear, city-based electoral area in Waterford, as well as Eastern and Western County wards.

The plans would partially reverse the changes made by a boundary committee in 2013, but there would still be district and plenary councils.

Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform John Paul Phelan says it wouldn’t effect the structure of local government too much.

“There is a strong compelling case for Waterford city to be reunited and brought into one district.”

He says that the re-division of electoral boundaries nationally, as took place in 2013, hasn’t worked, particularly in the Western counties.

Minister Phelan says the new plans would be based around census figures:

“On a population basis there’s enough for between 14 to 16 councillors elected in the Waterford city area… the national ratio of population to councillor is about 4,000, that’s not going to increase or decrease”.